"Zany, crazy and highly entertaining" are a few of the ways to describe a Paul Mesner puppet show!  This season's offerings are even more attractive as they are all centered around popular children's books.  Kids will love both many of this season offerings:

Before the Show:

2011 - 2012 Performances:

The Nativity

 Performances:  December 9 - 11, 2011

Strega Nona

 Performances:  January 25 - February 19, 2012

Rapunzel

Performances:  March 7 - April 1, 2012

The Stinky Cheese Man

Performances:  June 6 - July 1, 2012

View art from around the world with kids at the Nelson-Atkins Museum.  Use mp3 players for an audio tour the outdoor Sculpture Garden; see ancient art from Egypt, Japan, and China; explore works of art by artists kids have learned about in school; and stop for a snack at the cafe or Rozzelle Court.

Before Your Visit:

• Ask your kids about things they may want to see - by now they may have studied a few different artists at school.  Find out which types of art or artists they enjoy and visit those exhibits at the museum.
• Use one of the Family Guides to the galleries during your visit.  This little booklet has some cool activities for kids to do during their visit.You can print them before you go or stop at the main desk to pick one up once you arrive. 
• Wear comfortable shoes & bring a sweatshirt (sometimes the museum is cool).
• If you want to visit any of the special exhibits, make sure to get your tickets.

Explore the Nelson-Atkins:

• Take an Audio Tour - download an app or borrow an ipod to experience an audio tour of the artwork.
• Sculpture park - walk through the outdoor park and view some unique sculputures.  Audio tour is also available for the sculpture park.
• Egyptian Art - see a mummy, along with heiroglyphics and some ancient treasures.
• Paintings - visit the European Galleryto view some works by famous painters - your kids may recognize some of the artists from art class.  Some of the paintings you might consider:
  • Water Lilies by Claude Monet
  • Olive Orchard by Vincent Van Gogh
  • Mont Sainte-Victoire by Paul Cézanne
• Colonial & Early American pieces - you've studied American History at school, now come see some paintings, furniture and art work created during those historic times.
• Current exhibitions - visit the Chinese Gallery to see some wonderful treasures along with some very impressive statues.
• Family Weekends - enjoy activities and crafts on these special weekends.  Upcoming topics include medieval knights & chinese dragons.
• Rozzelle Court - don't forget to grab a snack and look at the cool architecture in Rozzelle Court.
  

Learn More:

• Visit the online National Gallery of Art's Art Zone where kids can create online masterpieces!

• Learn about different painters by playing an online game "The Case of Grandpa's Painting".

• Learn to write using hieroglyphics - try creating your name with the symbols.

• Read some books about art:

Usborne "Art Treasury" by Rosie Dickins is a great way to learn about famous artists and the types of techniques they use.  The book introduces each piece of art, along with some of it's history, and then explains how to make your own masterpiece.  It also includes great online resources too.

"From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" by E.L. Konigsburg is a classic book about a girl and her brother who run away and hide at in a museum in New York City.

All images have been obtained with permission from the Nelson-Atkins online press room.

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